Bay Center and Pacific County, Washington
Located at the very tip of a peninsula lying in the center of Willapa Bay in Pacific County,
Bay Center is a hidden gem.
It is part of the 600,000 acre Willapa Bay ecosystem, described as the most productive
coastal ecosystem in the continental United States.
(A sixth of all the oysters consumed in the US grows on Willapa Bay's tideflats.)
The bay is host to large numbers of Pacific salmon, Dungeness crab, and clams as well.
The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge helps protect many endangered animals and plants,
including at least 21 bird species.
Exploring oyster farms, fishing, birdwatching and napping are popular pastimes.
Nearby shopping in Bay Center, South Bend, Raymond and Ilwaco offer a variety of restaurants,
antique stores, museums, parks and boat launches.
(Forbes.com recently rated South Bend as one of their top 12 "small-town getaways".)
Columbia City in Columbia County, Oregon
If you're driving up Oregon Highway 30 from Portland towards Astoria, you can't miss the pretty little town of Columbia City. Unless, of course, you're busy admiring the view along the fir-clad banks of the Columbia River, which is nearly a mile wide at this point.
Columbia City (which adjoins our Columbia City residential property) is a typical small Oregon town: friendly and full of character. The Cascades Range provides an imposing backdrop, while to the northeast runs the Columbia River - nearly a mile wide at this point. No less than five tall mountains are visible on a clear day: Mt St Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt Hood, Mt Rainier and Mt Jefferson.
Eagle Cliff (Wahkiakum County), Washington
Eagle Cliff is located along the banks of the Columbia River in Wahkiakum County, which is the smallest county in Washington State. It is a few miles down the road from the picturesque town of Cathlamet, which dates to the days of Lewis and Clark (1805). The county itself was created in 1854.
The name 'Wahkiakum' means 'tall timber' in Chinook, and is an apt description for the area surrounding Eagle Cliff. Most of the county is very scenic, with large expanses of trees and forest dotted with interesting little towns. There's definitely all the elbow room you could require. Traffic jams? There are no stoplights anywhere in the entire county!
Whether you're looking for a weekend retreat, planning a family vacation, or thinking about living, working, or retiring here, you'll be greeted by friendly faces who'll be happy to share those special spots that only the locals know. Each town in Wahkiakum County offers wide-open views, beautiful farms and forests, historical sites and attractions, shopping, restaurants, special events, and outdoor recreation.
St. Helens, Oregon
A quaint and charming atmosphere combined with thoroughly modern workplaces makes St. Helens a good place to live, work and play. St Helens is the county seat of Columbia County, and more than 11,000 people reside within its city limits; but this hasn't changed the fact that it's still a small town with that homey, rural air, and no crime to speak of. (The movie Twilight was shot in St Helens in 2008 because of its small-town feeling.)
The city of St Helens has a stated goal of being a business-friendly place to work, and not merely server as a bedroom community of Portland. (Though Portland is just minutes away.) Highway 30 passes through the city and - together with Scappoose - it is home to a number of service and manufacturing businesses. The Port of St Helens operates a marina, an airport, and several industrial parks.
Columbia County, in which St Helens, Columbia City, and Scappoose reside, is extremely scenic, particularly along the Highway 30 corridor. It's bracketed by the Columbia River to the East and North, and vast stands of evergreen timber to the West. Several state parks, national forests, and recreation areas occupy much of the land area of the county.
Near the riverfront, the Olde Towne portion of St. Helens features a Nationally Registered Historic District encompassing 10 blocks, which includes residences and civic buildings dating back nearly a century. Originally settled by New England loggers, St. Helens' basalt rock quarry was also a major industry in the early 1900s. Major employers today include forest products, mining, and manufacturing operations.
Stevenson, Washington
The exquisite little riverside town of Stevenson is a prime spot on the Columbia River for all kinds of Northwest activities. There's an activity for everyone - biking, camping, kayaking, mushroom hunting, whitewater rafting, bird watching, golfing and even spelunking, to name just a few. The 4,000 foot deep Columbia River Gorge is the windsurfing capital of the world; after your hike, kick back at Bob's Beach and watch some of the world's best windsurfers and kiteboarders in action. If you're into microbrews, the area is home to no less than two famous small breweries (Walking Man and Full Sail). The area is also dotted with many small, family owned and operated wineries.
Stroll along the riverfront and immerse yourself in a friendlier, laid-back lifestyle that's hard to find anywhere these days. It's a welcome respite from the noise and congestion of large cities. Take a stroll and explore the riverfront and downtown Stevenson. Visit the unique shops and restaurants. There's no place quite like Stevenson in Skamania County.
